Matt Maiocco reports for the Press Democrat agent George Mavrikes said things are moving slowly with 49ers free agent DT Brentson Buckner because he told the 49ers he would give them a chance to match any offers. He's thinking of changing that strategy. Arizona, New England, Washington and Denver are teams that have shown interest in Buckner, but he's had no visits. Former 49ers DL Roy Barker has contacted the 49ers and offered to play for the veteran minimum salary of $477,000.

The Post-Crescent reports the Green Bay Packers are benching TE Tyrone Davis in favor of TE Jeff Thomason this weekend. The team has been disappointed with the slow progress of Davis this year and will see his role diminish the final few weeks. The Packers also plan to work TE Lamont Hall into the action more as well. In other news, newly signed Roy Barker is expected to practice today. The Packers gave RB Dorsey Levens (rib) yesterday off of practice to rest his sore ribs. OL Ross Verba (knee) also was held out of practice and may not be able to play this weekend.

The AP reports the Cleveland Browns have cut DL Roy Barker and signed WR Isaiah Mustafa from their practice squad. Barker was acquired from the San Francisco 49ers earlier this year via trade and was in the final year of his deal making $1.85 million this year.

This is more comical than important, but the Cleveland Browns are not giving up any draft picks to the San Francisco 49ers in return for acquiring TE Irv Smith and DL Roy Barker. The 49ers are viewing this as past considerations... what are those considerations for? Well, the 49ers are looking at it as a way of saying thank you to the Browns for being kind enough to take DB Antonio Langham from them during the expansion draft.

As an update to an earlier release, the trade between the Cleveland Browns and San Francisco 49ers is now official. The Browns will receive TE Irv Smith and DL Roy Barker and the 49ers will receive a late round draft selection. The only reason, according to ESPNews, that QB Ty Detmer wasn't included is because he has a no trade clause in his contract. This trade will open roughly $2.5 million under the salary cap for the 49ers.

The San Francisco Examiner reports the proposed trade between the 49ers and the Browns that is expected to be announced later today will be TE Irv Smith and DE Roy Barker to the Browns for either a late round draft pick or for "past considerations" (which are meaningless). QB Ty Detmer will not be included in the trade. The deal will save the 49ers close to $4 million on the salary cap.